Gallery: (1-28-2026) The Opipery/Forgash Locker Room
The Opipery/Forgash Locker Room
The Hilltopper Football team utilizes the Opipery/Forgash Locker Room, named in conjunction with the establishment of the David L. Waples Football Endowment. The endowment was created through a generous gift from David Waples ’63 to honor former teammates Russ Opipery ’63 and Dave Forgash ’66.
Opipery was a multi-sport student-athlete at West Liberty, playing line positions on both offense and defense for the Hilltoppers while also competing in track and field as a thrower. Following graduation, he went on to coach high school football and work in outside sales.
Forgash was a standout defensive back for WLU and a member of the 1963 WVIAC Football Championship team. He also served as catcher for the 1964 NAIA National Championship baseball team. Forgash later built a career in the pharmaceutical and natural gas industries before retiring in 2014.
